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I    GENERAL  NOTES  ON  THE 
USE  OF  ARTILLERY 


California 

egional 

icility 


TRANSLATED  AND  EDITED  AT  THE 
ARMY  WAR  COLLEGE 


WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICB 

1917 


WAB  DEPAKTHENT. 

Document  No.  696. 

Office  of  The  Adjutant  General 


WAR  DEPARTMENT, 

WASHINGTON,  November  12,  1917. 

The  following  pamphlet  "  General  Notes  on  the  Use  of  Artil- 
lery "  is  published  for  the  information  of  all  concerned. 
[062.1,  A.  G.  O.] 

BY  ORDEB  OF  THE  SECBETABY  OF  WAB : 

JOHN  RIDDLE, 

Major  General,  Acting  Chief  of  Staff. 
OFFICIAL  : 

H.  i>.  MCCAIN, 

The  Adjutant  General. 

a 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


PART  I. 

Page. 

Preface 7 

Organization  of  the  command 7 

General  commanding  the  artillery  of  the  army 7 

General  commanding  the  artillery  of  the  corps 8 

Colonel  commanding  the  divisional  artillery 8 

Missions 9 

Artillery  infoimation  service 11 

Observation 12 

Liaison 13 

PART  II. 
EXECUTION  OP  MISSIONS. 

Counter-action  battery. 14 

Destruction 14 

Neutralization 15 

Fire  on  enemy  fieldworks 16 

General  remarks-  -  16 

Wire  entanglements. 16 

Chevaux  da  frise 17 

Shelters : 17 

Trenches 17 

Permanent  fortifications 17 

Towns  and  villages 18 

Railways 18 

Maintenance  of  the  demolition 18 

Fire  on  lines  of  communication 19 

Fire  with  gas  shells 19 

4 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS.  0 
PART  III. 

Page. 

The  artillery  during  the  execution  of  the  attack 21 

By  counter-battery  fire 21 

By  accompanying  fire 21 

By  general  covering  fire 21 

By  box  barrage 22 

By  fire  on  command  posts  and  observation  stations 22 

By  fire  on  lines  of  communication 22 

By  fire  against  counter  attacks 22 

By  movements  of  batteries 23 

By  fire  against  attempted  enemy  counter  offensive 23 

PART  IV. 

SPECIAL  DEFENSE  FIRE. 

Offensive  counter  preparation 24 

For  the  field  artillery 24 

For  the  high-angle-fire  artillery 25 

For  the  long-range  artillery 25 

Barrage 25 

Field  artillery  barrage 25 

Front 25 

Targets 25 

Density  of  fire 26 

Opening  of  barrage  fire 26 

Preparation  for  the  barrage 27 

Contingent  tire 27 

Harassing  fire 27 

Fire  in  reprisal 28 

Concentrations  of  fire 28 


6  TABLE  OF   CONTENTS. 

PART  V. 
PREPARATION  OF  THE  WORK  OP  THE  ARTILLERY. 

PLANS   OF  ACTION.  Page. 

The  offensive 30 

Piret  rGle  of  the  artillery 30 

Exploitation  of  success 33 

Tactical  exploitation 33 

Strategic  exploitation 34 

Plan  of  action  of  the  artillery 35 

Employment  of  the  aviation  service 37 

The  defensive. . 37 

Flan  of  the  employment  ol  the  artillery 37 

Plan  for  the  contingenc  reenforcementof  the  sector. .  38 

Appendix  I. — Safety-zone  tables 3ft 

Appendix  fl.-- Other  tables 42 

Appendix  111. — Preparation  of  ground  for  an  attack 46 


GENERAL  NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY. 

PART  ONE. 

PEEFACE. 

The  purpose  of  the  following  discussion  is  an  exposition  of  the 
current  ideas  with  regard  to  the  use  of  artillery  in  war.  All  its 
contents  are  drawn  from  the  current  regulations  and  from  notes 
issued  by  general  headquarters  or  by  the  artillery  instruction 
center. 

It  must  not  be  thought  that  the  use  of  artillery  is  something 
immutable;  it  varies  not  only  with  circumstances  but  with 
lapse  of  time,  as  new  materiel  is  brought  into  service  and  require 
appropriate  use. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  COMMAND. 

Functions  of  the  various  grades  of  command. 
The  following  publications  determine  these  functions : 
"  Regulations  on  the  Conduct  of  Higher  Units." 
"  Provisional  Regulations  for  Field  Artillery." 
"  Instruction  on  Higher  Units  in  Offensive  Combat." 
"  Notes  on  the  Use  of  the  Heavy  Artillery  and  the  High- 
Powered  Heavy  Artillery." 
"  Note  on  the  Use  of  Artillery  on  the  Defensive." 

THE    GENERAL    COMMANDING    THE    ARTILLERY    OF    THE    ARMY. 

He  distr'butes  the  artillery  among  the  Army  corps  and  exer- 
cises a  direct  control  over  .its  use  as  representative  of  the  Army, 
commander.  He  Has  under  Jits  direct  command  the  long-range 
pieces  (the  high-powered  heavy  artillery  100's,  105's,  1't's,  J6's, 
155's,  240's,  ?.70's,  280's,  370's,  etc.,  and  also  the  railway  heavy 
artillery)  of  the  Army,  and,  contingently,  the  groups  of  heavy 
artillery,  the  use  of  which  the  general  commanding  the  Army 
has  reserved  to  himself  for  the  special  missions  which  concern 
the  sectors  of  several  corps. 

7 


8  NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY. 

THE    GENERAL    COMMANDING    THE    ARTILLERY    OF    THE    ARMY 

CORPS. 

He  exercises,  as  representative  of  the  general  commanding 
the  Army  corps,  a  direct  control  over  all  the  artillery  of  the 
Army  corps.  He  has  under  his  command  the  batteries  kept  at 
the  disposal  of  the  Army  corps  (field  and  heavy  artillery)  ; 
generally  the  medium,  caliber  heavy  artillery  (125' s,  120' s, 
and  contingently  155' 's  and  105' s)  and  also  certain  batteries  of 
large  caliber  heavy  artillery  howitzers;  when  necessary  he  ar- 
ranges to  put  part  of  the  corps  artillery  at  the  disposal  of  the 
divisions. 

THE    COLONEL    COMMANDING    THE    DIVISIONAL    ARTILLERY. 

He  exercises  command  over  the  artillery  belonging  to  the  divi- 
sion and  also  over  units  from  any  source  which  have  been  put 
at  the  disposal  of  the  sector  held  by  the  division,  i.  e.,  trench 
artillery,  batteries  of  heavy  artillery  using  curved  fire  (155 
howitzers  and  sometimes  220's),  and  battalions  of  corps  artil- 
lery put  at  his  disposal  by  the  Army  commander. 

There  is  nothing  absolute  about  this  distribution,  and  it  is 
modified  according  to  circumstances.  Above  all,  it  must  not 
lead  to  independent  action  by  the  artillery  occupying  the  sectors 
of  the  division,  the  Army  corps,  and  the  Army.  It  is  indis- 
pensable that,  in  case  of  needv  all  batteries  capable  of  acting  on 
the  threatened  front  should  be  able  to  intervene  regardless  of 
the  command  to  which  they  belong  and  of  the  commander  from 
whom  they  take  their  orders. 

The  mechanism  for  this  intervention  is  explained  in  the  dis- 
cussion of  concentration  of  fire.  The  measures  to  be  taken  to 
facilitate  this  intervention  should  be  foreseen  and  studied  in 
detail  in  each  unit,  and  should  be  the  subject  of  a  special  chapter 
on  the  plan  of  use  of  artillery. 

In  particular,  the  heavy  artillery  of  the  Army  corps  should 
be  organized  to  play  the  r61e  of  attentive  servant  of  the  divi- 
sions ;  that  is,  to  anticipate  their  wants  and  be  ready  to  satisfy 
them  instantaneously.  This  applies  equally  to  the  heavy  ar- 
tillery with  relation  to  the  Army  corps. 

The  organic  constitution  of  the  artillery  of  the  different  units 
is  designed  to  meet  the  requirements  of  open  warfare  and  avoid 
the  necessity  of  improvising  at  a  moment  of  crisis. 


NOTES  ON  THE  TJSE  OF  ABTILLERY.  0 

As  a  rule,  the  artillery  of  the  Army,  when  given  as  reenforce- 
rnent  to  an  Army  corps,  is  attached  to  the  corps  artillery.  Part 
or  all  of  the  corps  art'Mery,  including  ^enforcements,  may  be 
used  to  reenforce  the  dl  \isional  artillery. 

Nevertheless,  in  forming  temporary  artillery  commands,  the 
organic  constitution  of  the  units  should  be  respected  as  far  as 
possible,  and  battalions  should  be  broken  up  only  exceptionally. 

One  authority  should  not  have  under  his  direct  orders  more 
than  three  of  four  subordinate  units. 

When  any  artillery  is  reenforced,  its  commander  takes  com- 
mand of  all  the  reenforcements.  Ths  commanders  of  the  reen- 
forcement  are  given  command  of  intermediate  units,  if  this 
is  consistent  with  their  rank,  otherwise  they  are  left  unattached 
and  may  be  used  later  as  relief  commanders. 

When  pieces  of  different  types  are  at  the  disposition  of  the 
Army  corps  artillery,  it  is  often  advisable  to  form  commands  with 
battalions  of  different  calibers. 

On  the  offensive,  when  numerous  trench-artillery  pieces  are 
put  in  action,  it  is  advisable  to  distribute  the  different  batteries 
of  trench  artillery  among  the  commands  or  battalions  of  75's. 
This  affords  more  supple  control  than  is  possible  if  one  com- 
mander has  under  his  authority  units  arranged  side  by  side  on 
a  line  along  which  communication  between  the  units  IP  difficult ; 
the  field  artillery  can  more  easily  supplement  the  destruction 
of  auxiliary  defenses  accomplished  by  the  trench  artillery ;  and, 
finally,  the  trench  artillery  is  reenforced  with  means  of  observa- 
tion (especially  with  airplanes,  which  it  does  not  have  at  its  own 
disposal). 

MISSIONS. 

In  each  higher  unit  the  commander  designates  the  normal  zone 
of  action  of  its  artillery,  in  which  it  is  in  charge  of  all  targets 
which  are  presented,  whatever  their  nature. 

This,  however,  is  not  enough  to  secure  the  maximum  results 
from  the  arm,  for  it  neglects  the  valuable  effects  of  enfilade  fire, 
of  concentration  of  fire,  and  of  the  utilization  of  the  power  of 
certain  pieces  to  the  full  limit  of  their  range.  It  is  therefore 
necessary  to  provide  for  the  intervention  of  the  different  artil- 
lery units  not  only  in  their  own  zone  of  action  but  in  the  neigh- 
boring zones  as  well. 

The  artillery  commander  has  two  means  of  effecting  this  in- 
tervention :  Direct  command  and  coordination. 
24970°— 17 2 


10  NOTES  ON   THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY. 

The  fire  of  an  artillery  in  its  normal  zone  of  action  Is  opened 
by  the  authority  which  has  direct  command  of  it. 

By  coordination,  a  commander  makes  u's  subordinate  artillery 
Intervene  in  the  normal  zone  of  his  neighbor,  or  reinforce  him. 
The  zone  In  which  an  artillery  can  thus  intervene  outside  its 
normal  zone  of  action  is  its  contingent  none  of  action. 

The  latter  zone  may  therefore  extend  to  the  limits  of  possible 
action.  It  is  advisable,  however,  when  denning  the  normal  zone 
of  action  of  each  unit,  to  specify  the  regions  in  which  its  inter- 
vention will  most  frequently  be  required.  The  total  of  these  re- 
gions will  form  what  is  properly  known  as  the  contingent  zone 
in  which  preparations  for  fire  and  the  adjustments  with  a  view 
to  assuring  rapid  opening  of  fire  under  favorable  conditions  will 
be  made. 

Coordination  is  exercised  as  much  in  providing  for  the  re- 
ciprocal support  which  the  artillery  units  can  give  one  another 
as  in  calling  for  intervention  in  the  moment  of  need.  That  is  to 
say,  coordination  makes  itself  felt  in  preparation  as  well  as  in 
execution. 

On  the  defensive,  in  tte  period  of  stabilization,  and  on  the 
offensive  which  follows  that  period,  coordination  is  exercised 
particularly  in  the  preparation ;  in  making  and  reconciling  plans 
for  the  use  of  the  different  units;  in  preparing  written  orders 
and  providing  appropriate  lateral  liaisons. 

In  open  warfare,  on  the  contrary,  coordination  Is  exercised 
principally  in  the  execution. 

The  general  commanding  the  Army  corps  has  at  his  disposal 
the  corps  artillery.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  commander  of  this 
artillery  to  keep  constantly  informed  of  the  needs  of  the  divi- 
sions la  order  to  advise  the  corps  commander  of  the  points 
where  this  force  is  required  and,  when  necessary,  to  call  for  the 
intervention  of  the  artillery  of  a  division  on  the  front  of  a 
neighboring  division. 

For  this  purpose  the  commander  of  the  artillery  of  the  Army 
corps  should  always  know  what  each  unit  of  artillery  is  doing, 
what  are  its  possibilities,  and  what  are  its  need-,.  But,  in  order 
to  have  the  coordination  effective  at  the  moment  of  need,  it  is  in- 
dispensable that  this  information  reach  him  with  the  least  delay. 
To  secure  this,  reports  on  the  three  points  above  mentioned  are 
sent  direct  to  him  by  the  commanders  of  the  divisional  artillery 
In  the  form  of  planimetric  sketches  on  which  a  red  line  is  drawn 
arouud  the  zones  which  these  units  can  cover,  and  a  blue  line 
around  those  in  which  their  firp  needs  support. 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OP  AKTILLERY.  11 

The  general  commanding  the  artillery  of  the  Army  follows  the 
same  procedure  with  the  different  Army  corps ;  but  as  the  Army, 
In  general,  keeps  no  artillery  under  its  direct  orders,  his  action 
is  limited  to  ordering  the  intervention  of  the  batteries  of  one 
Army  corps  on  the  fronts  of  the  neighboring  Army  corps. 

ARTILLERY  INFORMATION  SERVICE. 

The  function  of  this  service  Is  to  supply,  as  rapidly  as  possible, 
precise  Information  on  the  enemy  batteries  (the  positions  they 
occupy,  their  targets,  degree  of  activity,  and,  if  possible,  the 
number  of  pieces  and  their  degree  of  protection),  and  the  enemy 
organizations  (defensive  and  offensive  fieldworks,  observation 
stations,  telephone  lines,  railways,  tracks,  bivouacs,  munitions 
and  materiel  depots,  etc.). 

The  artillery  information  service  has  at  it.  disposal  the  fol- 
lowing sources  of  information :  Terrestrial  observation  stations 
of  the  artillery  and  of  the  headquarters,  sections  for  research  of 
information  by  terrestrial  observation,  sound  location  sections, 
aerial  observation  and  photographs,  information  received  from 
the  adjoining  corps  and  from  the  Intelligence  section  of  the 
staff. 

In  addition,  all  Information  on  the  enemy  artillery  gathered 
by  the  infantry  and  artillery  troops  should  be  communicated 
to  the  artillery  information  service. 

In  case  of  urgency  the  information  collected  is  communicated 
to  the  executives  by  telephone,  taking  all  necessary  precautions 
to  avoid  indiscretions,  and  in  all  cases  by  a  daily  bulletin  cov- 
ering 24  hours  and  distributed  to  all  officers  down  to  and  includ- 
ing battery  commanders. 

The  artillery  information  service  also  makes  a  map  on  the 
scale  of  1/10.000,  on  which  are  entered:  The  enemy  batteries, 
their  caliber,  targets,  and  degree  of  activity ;  all  new  information 
on  enemy  targets. 

Finally,  descriptive  cards  of  the  ener.y  batteries  are  kept 
embodying  the  latest  information,  and  including,  notably,  the 
photographic  study  of  the  position.  They  serve  as  the  basis  of 
counter-battery  fire,  and  especially  of  fire  for  destruction.  These 
cards  are  communicated  to  the  balloon  and  airplane  observers 
and  to  the  commanders  of  artillery  commands,  battalions,  and 
batteries  interested. 


12  NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTTLLEBY. 

OBSERVATION. 

This  subject  has  been  thoroughly  treated  In  the  courses  of 
Instruction  am1  in  the  field.  The  discussion  here  will  be  only 
a  short  statement  of  general  principles. 

First  The  purpose  of  artillery  observation  Is : 

(a)  The  survei'^.nce  of  the  enemy  sector  (batteries,  field- 
works,  movements). 

(6)  The  adjustment  and  control  of  fire. 

Its  proper  operation  is  of  capital  Importance  for  the  artillery ; 
an  artillery  without  observation  is  blind  and  usile&t. 

Second.  Its  organization  rests  on  two  principles,  namely : 

(a)  The  command  of  fire  and  the  observation  of  fire  are  inde- 
pendent tasks. 

(6)  The  system  of  observation  is  arranged  to  correspond  to 
the  targets,  and  not  to  the  positions  of  the  batteries  which 
execute  the  fire. 

Third.  The  means  of  observation  at  the  disposal  of  the  artil- 
lery are  terrestrial  observation  stations,  balloons,  and  airplanes. 

The  advantages  of  .terrestrial  observation  are  its  permanence, 
the  possibility  of  using  perfected  sighting  instruments,  and  its 
comparative  independence  of  weather  conditions. 

The  airplane  affords  rapid,  precise,  and,  when  necessary,  ver- 
tical observation  on  the  most  distant  and  most  defiladed  targets. 

The  balloon  is  a  very  elevated  observation  station  which 
has  the  advantages  over  the  airplane  of  continuity  of  observa- 
tion and  immediate  and  direct  transmission  of  information ; 
on  the  other  hand,  its  field  of  observation  is  limited  and  its  line 
of  sight  oblique. 

Finally,  the  use  of  aerial  observation  is  largely  limited  by 
atmospheric  conditions. 

In  open  warfare  observation  is  effected  in  accordance  with 
the  same  principles,  so  far  as  circumstances  allow. 

A  particular  essen'ial  is  a  complete  understanding  among  the 
airplane  squadrons  of  the  means  of  entering  Into  communica- 
tion with  the  command  posts  of  artillery  battalions,  commands, 
etc.  As  telephone  communication  between  the  squadrons  and 
the  command  posts  is  impossible,  the  proper  utilization  of  the 
aviation  service  will  depend  entirely  on  this  understanding  be- 
ing reached  in  advance,  and  on  the  perfect  utilization  of  the 
means  of  communication  from  the  ground  to  the  airplane. 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ABTILLEB.Y.  13 

LIAISONS. 

Mere  mention  will  be  made  of  the  means  employed.  They  are 
principally:  The  telephone  and  wireless  telegraphy,  reinforced 
by  the  following  auxiliary  liaisons  (.which  will  be  in  general 
the  only  ones  which  can  be  used  b;  troops  in  the  first  line), 
visual  signals,  rockets,  liaison  agents,  runners,  carrier  pigeons, 
sound  signals  (trumpets),  earth-conduction  telegraphy. 

In  open  warfare,  wireless  telegraphy  can  afford  communication 
between  the  principal  command  posts  and  the  airplane  squadrons 
pending  the  construction  of  telephone  lines. 

Similarly,  on  the  offensive  and  in  open  warfare,  an  indirect 
liaison  between  the  infantry  and  the  artillery  can  be  obtained 
through  the  infantry  airplane.  A  beginning  has  also  been  made 
of  the  use  of  visual  and'  sound  signals  from  the  airplane  to  the 
ground  for  the  infantry  airplane  and  the  adjustment  of  trench 
mortars. 

An  artillery  officer  is  posted  near  each  infantry  colonel  (com- 
manding a  subsector).  This  officer  has  under  his  orders  a 
liaison  and  observation  detachment,  comprising  observers  (N.  G. 
O.'s),  liaison-  agents*  telephone  men,  and  signalmen. 


PART  TWO. 

THE  EXECUTION  OF  MISSIONS. 
COUNTER-BATTERY  ACTION. 

Counter-battery  action  is  the  essential  mission  of  the  artillery, 
as  the  enemy  gun  is  the  most  redoubtable  adversary.  As  a 
general  principle,  counter-battery  action  is  effected  by  destruc- 
tion; when  this  Is  impossible,  recourse  is  had,  as  a  last  resort, 
to  neutralization. 

DESTRUCTION. 

Destruction  is  sought  whenever  time  and  means  are  avail- 
able. It  involves  adjustment  on  each  piece  of  the  target  and 
continuous  observation  or  frequent  verification  of  the  fire  for 
effect.  This  fire  is  interrupted  only  when  the  desired  results 
have  been  obtained. 

The  following  table  suggests  the  consumption  of  ammunition 
to  be  anticipated  for  the  destruction  of  an  enemy  battery : 

Rounds. 
75  mm.-90  mm 1, 000 

95  mm.-120  mm 900 

155  mm 600 

155  mm.  howitzer-. 500 

220  mm.-270  mm 330 

280  mm.-lO  mm.-24  mrn.-240  mm 250-300 

^Larger  calibers  of  high-powered  heavy  artillery 100 

These  are  average  figures,  which  vary  with  the  degree  of  per- 
fection of  the  fire  and  of  the  observation,  with  the  situation 
vand  with  the  strength  of  the  target. 

In  a  general  way  howitzers  and  mortars  are  to  be  used  OM 

•.strongly  protected  targets,   for  their  cr  ishing  effect,   and   on 

targets  which  are  on  steep  inclines,  since  the  dispersion  from 

their  plunging  trajectory  is  increased  by  the  slope  of  the  ground. 

Destruction  should  be  executed  in  the  least  possible  time,  in 

order  to  avoid  poor  adjustment  due  to  atmospheric  variations 

anc  to  get  the  maximum  result  from  aerial  observation.    It  Is 

therefore  advisable  to  use  rapid-fire  pieces  for  this  purpose 

when  concentration  of  fire  is  not  used  instead ;  ttat  ts  to  say,  to 

14 


15 

employ  two  connected  batteries  (battalion)  to  carry  on  a  fire 
of  destruction  on  an  enemy  battery.  (Note.)  The  adjustment 
Is  done  at  the  same  time  but  separately  for  each  battery  of  four 
pieces;  then  the  fire  for  effect  carried  out  by  salvos  of  eight 
rounds  from  both  batteries  at  the  request  of  the  airplane  can 
be  rapidly  done  and  well  observed.) 

If  means  of  observation  are  lacking,  destruction  can  be 
effected  by  zone  fire,  but  this  requires  the  expenditure  of  four  or 
five  times  as  much  ammunition.  Nevertheless,  great  destruction 
can  be  expected  against  clusters  of  battery  positions  known  to 
be  occupied  and  forming  a  mass  of  artillery  in  a  well-defined 
and  restricted  area.  A  daily  program  of  destructions  is  issued 
by  the  Army  corps  and  is  constantly  corrected  to  embody  tho 
latest  information  from  the  artillery  information  service. 

Fire  in  the  normal  zone  of  action  of  a  battalion  is  opened  on 
the  initiative  of  the  battalion  commander,  under  the  conditions 
fixed  by  the  plan  of  action.  The  intervention  of  a  unit  in  itp 
contingent  zone  of  action  is  determined  by  the  commander  of 
the  higher  unit,  who  has  under  his  orders  both  the  intervening 
unit  and  the  normal  zone  of  action  in  which  the  fire  is  to  be 
effected. 

When  an  offensive  action  is  decided,  the  destruction  of  the 
enemy  batteries  is  undertaken  as  long  in  advance  as  possible. 
The  work  is  pursued  during  the  course  of  the  artillery  prepara- 
tion and  is  suspended  at  the  moment  of  the  attack  only  if  the 
necessity  of  neutralizing  simultaneously  all  the  enemy  artillery 
requires  that  every  available  battery  be  devoted  to  this  pur- 
pose. It  is  well,  however,  to  reserve  some  units  io  open  fire  on 
batteries  which  may  disclose  themselves  unexpectedly,  or  which 
may  not  have  been  included  in  the  program  of  neutralization. 

NEUTRALIZATION. 

When  time,  means,  and  precise  data  on  the  targsts  are  lack- 
Ing,  recourse  is  had  to  neutralization,  which  is  a  fire  giving  only 
momentary  effects.  It  interferes  with  the  service  of  the  enemy 
batteries  and  even  puts  him  out  of  action  occasionally.  When 
there  is  a  lack  of  precise  data  concerning  the  target,  the  density 
of  fire  is  reduced  in  order  to  cover  an  extended  area.  All  types 
of  pieces  may  be  employed,  but  preferably  those  capable  of 
rapid  fire.  We  fire  by  irregular  volleys  to  hold  the  enemy 
under  the  threat  of  a  resumption  of  fire. 

For  long  ranges  the  105  mm.  can  be  used  to  advantage,  in- 
stead of  the  155  mm. 


16  NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OP  ARTILLERY. 

We  use  shell  (sometimes  shrapnel  or  case-bursting  shrapnel) 
and  special  shell,  but  when  the  latter  are  used  the  fire  should 
be  continuous  In  order  to  prolong  the  threat  of  asphyxiating 
effects,  which  oblige  the  enemy  to  wear  their  masks  continually 
and  thus  greatly  reduce  their  freedom  of  movement.  Neutrali- 
zation of  the  batteries  must  be  completed  by  an  artillery  action 
against  the  ground  observing  stations  so  that  they  can  not  be 
used  while  the  airplanes  are  attacking  the  adjusting  balloons 
and  airplanes  of  the  enemy. 

FIRE   ON   ENEMY   FIELD   WORKS. 

GENERAL  REMARKS. 

Fire  on  enemy  field  works  is  precise  fire  and  should  not  be 
undertaken  except  when  conditions  are  favorable — good  veather, 
ranges  from  one-half  to  three-fourths  the  rnaxinmm  range  for 
the  charge  and  shell  employed,  perfect  observation,  and  very 
elose  adjustment. 

Only  when  no  means  of  observation  are  available  should  we 
use  zone  fire.  The  effects  then  obtained  are  incomparably  less. 
Under  these  circumstances,  the  best  procedure  is  to  use  short 
transfers  of  fire,  preceded  by  careful  adjustment  on  auxiliary 
targets  not  far  from  the  targets  to  be  demolished. 

Use  great  care  in  choosing  the  piece  to  employ  the  type  of 
projectile,  the  kind  of  fuse,  and  its  priming.  Fire  at  each 
target  the  number  of  rounds  experience  has  shown,  to  be 
necessary. 

Invariable  rule. — All  fire  for  demolition  should  be  controlled 
not  only  by  observers  or  reconnaissances  in  which  the  artillery 
and  the  infantry  are  represented,  but  also  by  the  examination 
of  aerial  photographs. 

The  time  necessary  for  demolition  varies  from  one  to  five  or 
six  days,  according  to  the  number  and  importance  of  the  works 
to  be  destroyed,  the  number  of  guns,  and  the  means  of  ol> 
tion  available. 

WIRE   ENTANGLEMENTS. 

We  open  breaches  at  least  25  meters  wide  (in  order  not  to 
bretsk  the  momentum  of  the  assaulting  waves),  s.pacvd  at  leg* 
than  100-meter  intervals  between  the  center  lines  of  the  breaches. 
We  avoid  firing  by  single  piece.  We  fire  all  pieces  of  a  battery 
or  with  several  trench  mortars  at  a  time. 

(a)  At  short  ranges. — Wo  use  trench  artillery,  58  mm.  No. 
2  guns,  and  Van  Deurens. 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY.  17 

(b)  At  medium  ranges. — We  use  the  75  mm.     If  the  entan- 
glement is  on  too  steep  a  slope  to  be  reached  by  flat-trajectory 
guns,  \ve  use  the  120-mrn.  Schneider  and  the  155-mm.  howitzer. 

(c)  At  longer  ranges. — At  about  6,000   meters  we  use  the 
120-mm.,  the  155-mm.,  or  the  155-mm.  Schneider  howitzer,  with 
instantaneous  fuse  explosive  shells. 

CHEVAUX-DE-FKISE. — The  same  rules  as  above.  We  use  pro- 
jectiles with  delayed-action  fuses,  the  burst  of  which  will  dis- 
perse these  obstructions.  The  number  of  projectiles  to  be  em- 
ployed is  the  same  as  that  necessary  to  destroy  a  wire  entangle- 
ment of  average  depth.  (See  table  I.) 

SHELTERS. — Fire  should  be  continued  until  two  hits  on  the  tar- 
get have  been  clearly  observed.  Machine-gun  shelters  and  obser- 
vation stations  can  be  put  out  of  action  by  embrasure  hits,  using 
the  75  mm.  Strongly  casemated  shelters  are  generally  demol- 
ished by  crushing;  at  short  ranges  trench  artillery  should  be 
used  for  this.  Beyond  2,000  meters  we  use  the  155-mm.  howitzer, 
the  220  mm.,  the  270  mm.,  or  the  280  mm.  with  delayed  action 
fuses.  (See  Table  II  for  the  number  of  projectiles  to  use.) 

TRENCHES. 

We  do  not  undertake  continuous  demolition,  but  choose  a 
system  of  important  points  (junctions  of  communication  trenches, 
salients,  etc.)  at  intervals  of  30  to  50  meters,  depending  on  the 
obliquity  of  the  fire.  We  proceed  with  fire  adjusted  on  these 
various  points,  and  the  dispersion  will  take  care  of  the  rest.  We 
use  projectiles  with  delayed-action  fuses.  We  use,  preferably : 

At  short  ranges. — Trench  mortar,  58  mm.  No.  2  and  Van 
Deurens. 

At  medium  ranges. — (About  3.000  meters)  the  155-mm. 
howitzer. 

At  ranges  of  about  6,000  meters. — The  155-mm.  gun  and  the 
155-mm.  Schneider  howitzer. 

The  75  mm.  gives  good  results  only  on  approach  trenches, 
which  it  can  take  in  enfilade,  principally  at  long  ranges  (from 
5,000  to  7,000  meters),  its  angle  of  fall  giving  it  good  penetration. 

(See  Table  III  for  the  number  of  projectiles  to  use.) 

PERMANENT   FORTIFICATION   WORKS. 

The  various  concrete  portions  of  the  works  are  taken  under 
fire  separately  by  the  large  caliber  howitzers  and  mortars  (293 
mm.,  370  mm.,  400  mm.)  firing  armor-piercing  shells  with  de- 
24970° — 17 3 


18  NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY. 

layed-action  base  fuses  at  ranges  not  exceeding  %  the  maxi- 
mum, trying  to  hit  the  unsupported  portions  and  to  fill  up  the 
excavation.  For  the  earthworks  and  superstructures  we  use  the 
155-mra.  gun  or  the  155-mm.  howitzer  with  delayed-action  fuses. 
(See  Table  IV  for  the  number  of  projectiles.) 

TOWNS   AND   VILLAGES. 

Demolition  of  towns  comprises : 

(a)  Crushing  vaults  and  cellars. — We  use  large  caliber  howiix- 
ers  and  mortars,  delayed-action  fuses. 

(6)  Demolishing  and  burning  the  houses. — We  alternate  fire 
of  melinite  shells  (155-mm.  howitzer  or  gun,  220  mm.  and  270 
mm.  mortars,  delayed-action  fuses)  and  of  incendiary  shells 
(155  mm.)  fired  with  fuses  timed  to  burst  low.  We  begin  with 
a  light  shell  fire,  continue  with  incendiary  shells,  and  finish  with 
melinite  shells. 

(c)  Demolition  of  special  works  constructed  by  the  enemy. — 
These  works  (trenches,  communication  trenches,  shelters,  etc.) 
are  ruined  as  described  above  for  the  demolition  of  the  trenches 
and  shelters  of  the  various  positions. 

(d)  The  streets  are  made  impassable  by  a  fire  of  small  and 
large  caliber  shells  with  time  fuses  (75  mm.,  90  mm.,  95  mm., 
and  120  mm.).    (See  Table  V  for  the  number  of  shells  to  use.) 

RAILWAYS. 

The  particularly  important  points  to  demolish  are  railway  con- 
structions, such  as  bridges,  culverts,  tunnel  mouths,  fills,  and  cer- 
tain points  at  stations  (water  tanks,  switch-control  systems, 
etc. ) .  As  far  as  possible  these  are  taken  under  enfilade  fire  with 
medium  or  large  caliber  guns  (155  mm.,  240  mm.,  320  mm.)  or 
howitzers  (220  mm.,  270  mm.,  280  mm.,  370  mm.),  using  elon- 
gated shells  with  delayed-action  fuses.  Fire  is  continued  until 
2,  3,  4,  or  5  hits  are  clearly  observed  on  the  target.  In  very 
many  cases  it  will  be  preferable  simply  to  make  the  railway 
impassable  by  an  irregular  fire  with  small  or  medium  caliber 
time-fuse  shrapnel  or  explosive  shell.  (See  Table  VI  for  the 
number  of  projectiles  to  use.) 

MAINTENANCE  OF  THE  DEMOLITIONS. 

It  is  indispensable  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  proceeding  with 
any  repair  work  during  the  night  (when  adjustment  of  fire  is 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY.  19 

necessarily  interrupted ) ,  or  during  either  day  or  night  in  the  case 
of  demolitions  completed  before  the  attack.  For  this  purpose  we 
cover  the  whole  front  of  the  target  systematically  by  irregular 
volleys.  We  use  the  small  and  medium  calibers  (75  mm.,  90  mm., 
95  mm.,  120  mm.),  either  percussion  fire  with  instantaneous 
fuses  or  time-fuse  fire  (shrapnel  or  shell). 

We  figure  on  a  consumption  of  100  to  150  projectiles  per  night 
for  every  200  meters  of  front  to  be  covered. 

FIKE  ON   LINES   OF  COMMUNICATION. 

This  fire  gives  satisfactory  results  only  if  the  barrages  are 
continuous.  Oblique  or  enfilade  fire  should  be  used.  By  day 
we  use  permanent  aerial  observation;  by  night  we  fire  on  the 
road  or  crossing  to  be  made  impassable  with  salvos  or  volleys 
at  irregular  intervals,  at  the  rate  of  50  roiinds  per  hour  for  the 
75 ;  38  rounds  per  hour  for  the  heavy  artillery.  If  the  road  is 
taken  in  enfilade,  cover  a  certain  width  each  time.  Certain  gas 
shells  give  incontestable  results  on  sheltered  regions,  such  as 
ravines  and  woods. 

FIRE   WITH   GAS   SHELLS. 

Gas  shells  give  good  results  in  case  they  are  used  under  the 
conditions  which  are  requisite  for  their  employment  These 
conditions  are  the  following: 

(a)  Atmospheric  conditions. — The  wind  carries  the  cloud  and 
increases  the  rapidity  with  which  it  is  diffused.     Either  intense 
dry  cold  or  humidity  make  the  cloud  less  effective.     If  the  wind 
is  higher  than  3  meters  per  second,  if  it  is  freezing  weather,  if 
it  is  foggy  or  raining,  gas  shells  should  not  be  fired.     (By  fog, 
a  thick,  heavy  fog  is  meant ;  and  by  rain,  a  heavy  fall  and  not 
a  sprinkle.)     Atmospheric  conditions  dominate  the  whole  ques- 
tion whether  gas  shells  shall  be  used. 

(b)  Duration  and  density  of  fire. — It  is  necessary  to  devote 
sufficient  density  of  fire  to  the  target  and  to  continue  the  action 
during  a  long  enough  time  (several  hours),  sometimes  at  a  slow 
rate  of  fire  and  sometimes  more  rapid. 

A  strong  initial  density  increases  the  chances  of  results  on 
the  personnel  surprised.  It  is  therefore  well  to  fire  for  adjust- 
ment with  shells  of  the  same  weight  and  to  open  with  gas  shells 
for  effect  in  order  to  achieve  the  benefits  of  surprise. 

Prolonged  bombardment  with  gas  shells  fatigues  the  person- 
nel of  the  enemy  batteries  by  forcing  them  to  wear  masks  while 


20  NOTES  ON  THE  TJSE  OF  ARTILLERY. 

serving  their  pieces.  The  annoyance  of  doing  this  induces  the 
men  to  take  off  the  mask  after  a  certain  time;  a  sudden  recur- 
rence to  dense  fire  during  the  course  of  the  firing  may  then 
produce  serious  results.  The  necessity  of  having  prolonged  and 
intense  action,  together  with  that  of  having  precise  fire,  make  it 
advisable  to  put  certain  batteries  in  charge  of  delivering  the  fire 
with  gas  shells  on  the  designated  targets.  Batteries  are  chosen 
which  can  fire  on  the  targets  obliquely  or  in  enfilade. 

Above  all,  avoid  firing  a  little  here  and  a  little  there,  for  tcith 
such  fire  one  is  certain  to  get  no  results. 

(c)  Radius  of  action. — The  following  results  refer  to  favor- 
able atmospheric  conditions. 

The  75  mm.,  radius  of  action  10  meters  in  all  directions ;  the 
effectiveness  of  the  cloud  does  not  last  long,  and  disappears  when 
the  cloud  has  moved  50  meters. 

The  steel  120  mm.  and  semisteel  155  mm.,  radius  of  action  10 
meters;  the  effectiveness  disappears  when  the  cloud  has  moved 
100  meters. 

The  58  mm.,  radius  of  action  15  meters ;  the  effectiveness  dis- 
appears when  the  cloud  has  moved  150  meters. 

The  clouds  hold  together  better  and  penetrate  shelters  better 
in  proportion  to  their  size ;  hence  the  special  advantage  in  using 
the  58  mm.  when  targets  are  within  its  range. 

The  above  data  show  that  gas  shells  should  fail  very  close  to 
the  target  and  to  the  windward  of  it 

It  is  not  advantageous  to  fire  more  rapidly  than  six  rounds 
per  piece  per  minute;  too  frequent  explosions  help  scatter  the 
clouds.  Open  ground  and  wooded  bottoms  increase  the  dura- 
tion of  the  effectiveness  of  the  gas. 

(d)  Precautions. — If  the  wind  carries  toward  the  enemy  gas 
shells  can  be  used  150  to  200  meters  in  front  of  our  infantry 
with  no  danger ;  it  is  merely  necessary  to  avoid  an  abnormal 
round  falling  in  our  lines. 

If  the  wind  is  toward  our  lines  masks  must  be  put  on  up  to 
400  or  500  meters  from  the  points  of  impact,  to  be  sure  of  not 
being  discommoded. 

If  the  infantry  is  to  attack,  and  if  the  wind  carries  toward 
the  enemy,  there  is  nothing  to  fear  from  a  fire  directed  on  the 
first  enemy  lines  if  the  attacking  infantry  has  200  or  300  meters 
to  cross  after  the  fire  ceases. 

The  moppers-up  should  not  immediately  descend  into  the 
enemy  shelters,  but  should  first  clean  them  out  with  explosive 
and  incendiary  grenades,  which  will  facilitate  ventilation. 


PART  THREE. 

THE  ARTILLERY  DURING  THE  EXECUTION  OF  THE 
ATTACK. 

The  artillery  protects  the  infantry  from  the  fire  of  the  enemy 
artillery — 

First.  By  counter-battery  fire. — Counter-battery  fire  continues 
during  the  attack  itself  and  while  the  infantry  is  getting  in- 
stalled in  the  limited  objectives.  It  is  supplemented  by  fire 
directed  on  command  posts  and  observation  stations. 

Second.  By  accompanying  fire. — Direct  support  or  accompany- 
ing fire  is  the  artillery  fire  moving  immediately  in  advance  of 
the  wave  of  assault  in  order  to  keep  the  defenders  underground 
until  the  moment  when  the  attackers  reach  their  lines.  This 
mission  generally  falls  to  the  duty  of  the  75's. 

A  priori,  the  speed  of  advance  of  the  fire  is  determined  by  the 
commander  (it  is  generality  50  meters  per  minute  over  easily 
traveled  ground,  and  25  meters  over  difficult  ground).  The 
assaulting  wave  follows  just  behind  the  last  shell  bursts,  about 
50  meters  from  the  nearest.  The  infantry  must  follow  the  shells, 
and  march  under  the  fire  of  its  artillery.  This  imposes  on  the 
latter  the  obligation  of  precise  fire. 

The  density  of  the  fire  is  about  one  round  per  minute  per  15 
meters  front,  which  is  sufficient  to  have  the  successive  advances 
of  the  fire  clearly  marked  on  the  ground  and  easily  recognized 
by  the  infantry.  When  the  infantry  reaches  the  limit  of  its 
objective  the  accompanying  batteries  make  a  barrage  before 
its  front. 

B]/  fteneral  covering  fire. — This  fire  is  directed  on — 

The  trenches  not  yet  attacked  in  the  phase  of  the  combat  con- 
sidered. 

The  enemy  works  on  the  flank  of  the  attack. 

The  probable  zones  where  the  enemy  will  assemble. 

21 


22  NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY. 

The  communication  trenches  and  paths  in  the  zone  of  attack 
by  which  the  enemy  counter  attacks  may  approach  (increased 
density  of  fire  being  directed  on  the  nuclei  of  communications). 

Finally,  on  the  lines  of  communication  in  the  zone  of  action 
of  the  divisional  artillery. 

For  this  covering  fire  the  division  has  at  its  disposal  the 
batteries  of  75's  not  used  for  direct  support,  the  heavy  howitzers 
assigned  to  the  division,  and  the  guns  which  the  army  corps  may 
put  at  its  disposal. 

NOTE. — The  mission  of  direct  support  and  of  covering  the  at- 
tack terminates  only  when  the  infantry  has  finished  its  advance, 
firmly  Installed  itself  on  the  conquered  ground,  and  reestablished 
its  normal  liaisons  with  the  rear.  The  generals  commanding 
the  Army  corps  and  infantry  divisions  then  coordinate  the  bar- 
rages of  the  various  artillery  battalions  or  commands  so  that 
there  are  no  gaps  in  the  barrage  and  no  waste  of  fire  by  super- 
imposition  or  dispersion.  With  all  possible  expedition  they  draw 
up  a  plan  of  counter  preparation. 

By  box  barrages. — The  ground  to  be  conquered  is  surrounded 
during  the  whole  progress  of  the  attack  by  a  barrage,  which,  so 
far  as  possible,  is  made  by  large-caliber  pieces.  This  barrage 
conceals  the  attacked  zone  from  view  from  the  rest  of  the  field 
of  battle  and  makes  it  inaccessible  for  reenforcements  and 
counter  attacks. 

This  fire  is  generally  directed  on  the  communication  trendies 
of  the  unit  attacked,  with  increased  density  at  the  points  of  inter- 
section of  trenches. 

When  an  attack  is  simultaneous  with  attacks  on  the  adjoining 
sectors  the  box  barrage  becomes  merely  a  frontal  barrage  laid 
down  beyond  the  region  attacked. 

By  fire  on  command  posts  and  obsenxition  stations. — These 
fires  are  combined  with  the  fire  for  neutralization  of  the  enemy 
batteries. 

By  fire  on  lines  of  communication. — By  this  must  be  under- 
stood fire  on  the  distant  lines  of  communication  and  on  the  com- 
munication trenches  which  lead  right  up  to  the  units  attacked. 

By  fire  against  counter  attacks. — Counter  attacks  may  start 
either  from  the  front  (in  which  case  the  batteries  delivering 
accompanying  fire  are  sufficient  to  ward  it  off)  or  from  a  flank 
(when  an  attacking  unit  is  checked  by  some  obstacle  and  leaves 
the  flanks  of  an  adjoining  unit  uncovered).  In  this  case  it  is 
necessary  to  have  available  batteries  with  observation  stations 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY.  23 

at  their  disposal,  by  which  they  can  follow  the  progress  of  the 
attack  and  intervene  on  their  own  initiative.  This  latter  condi- 
tion can  not  often  be  obtained.  It  then  becomes  necessary  to 
connect  these  batteries  with  a  wireless  station,  so  that  their  fire 
can  be  launched  by  direct  request  of  the  aviator  without  inter- 
vention of  the  higher  command,  which  would  involve  loss  of  time. 

By  moreinents  of  batteries. — Movements  of  batteries  are  neces- 
sary for  the  laying  down  of  barrages  in  front  of  the  new  front, 
for  the  execution  of  the  new  plan  of  counter  preparation,  and  the 
development  of  the  new  plan  of  action  for  the  continuation  of 
the  offensive. 

Movements  of  batteries  should  be  reduced  to  the  minimum,  for 
a  battery  moved  in  the  course  of  combat  does  very  little  work, 
and  even  runs  the  risk  of  being  destroyed  before  firing  a  shot. 

Nevertheless,  movements  for  the  following  purposes  must  be 
contemplated :  To  sustain  the  morale  of  the  infantry,  to  lessen 
the  ranges  (whence  the  necessity  on  the  offensive  of  pushing 
the  artillery  as  far  forward  as  possible),  to  facilitate  liaisons. 

These  movements  should  be  facilitated  by  very  thorough 
reconnaissance  of  the  routes  to  follow,  preparation  of  means 
of  crossing  the  friendly  and  enemy  positions,  the  detail  of 
sufficient  personnel  for  preparing  the  routes,  selection  of  positions 
beforehand,  and  even  their  construction,  and  the  permanent 
installation  of  pieces  (all  camouflaged),  if  the  new  positions 
are  to  be  behind  the  original  front  of  the  attack. 

NOTE. — During  the  attack,  all  oblique  fire  on  the  ground  over 
which  the  infantry  is  actually  advancing  is  prohibited. 

By  fire  against  attempted  enemy  counter  offensives. — Our  ar- 
tillery should  immediately  answer  every  preparation  for  an 
attack  on  our  positions  by  the  counter  preparation,  for  which 
plans  must  be  made  immediately  after  the  last  attack,  and  by 
barrage  fire  in  case  the  enemy  attack  should  debouch  in  spite 
of  the  counter  preparation. 

See  discussion  of  special  defensive  fire  below. 


PART  FOUR. 
SPECIAL  DEFENSIVE  FIRE. 

The  object  of  these  fires  is  to  stop  the  enemy  before  they  pene- 
trate our  lines.  The  Artillery  therefore  works : 

A.  During  the  course  of  the  enemy  preparation,  by  counter- 
preparation  fire  on  the  enemy  massed  in  his  works. 

B.  At  the  moment  of  the  attack  itself,  by  barrage  fire. 

(A)    OFFENSIVE  COUNTER  PREPARATION. 

The  German  attack  Is  generally  preceded  by  bombardment  on 
an  extended  front,  at  some  point  of  which,  after  a  certain  time, 
the  fire  increases  in  intensity  until  it  becomes  preparation  fire 
proper.  Attention  must  therefore  be  devoted  to  discerning  the 
variation  of  activity  of  the  enemy  artillery.  Only  permanent 
observation  stations  of  wide  outlook  are  capable  of  this,  by 
virtue  of  their  ability  to  make  comparison  in  time  and  space. 
The  determination  of  the  probable  point  of  attack  is  therefore 
a  duty  of  the  headquarters  observation  stations,  or,  even  better, 
of  the  airplanes,  whose  view  is  less  obstructed  by  the  smoke  and 
dust  of  the  bombardment. 

Use  should  also  be  made  of  the  information  obtained  from 
prisoners,  deserters,  listening  posts,  etc. 

Reports  by  defenders  who  see  only  a  very  limited  part  of  the 
field  of  battle  are  only  of  secondary  value. 

The  counter  preparation  is  ordered  by  corps  or  division  com- 
manders, as  the  case  may  be.  It  is  effective  only  when  perfectly 
prepared. 

The  corps  headquarters  therefore  draw  up  a  plan  of  offensive 
counter  preparation  providing  for  all  details  of  these  actions, 
distinguishing  between  the  case  of  a  general  attack  and  that 
of  partial  attacks  on  any  given  part  of  the  front. 

The  counter  preparation  comprises: 

(a)  For  the  field  artillery. — Violent  fire  for  effect  for  a  limited 
time  (about  five  minutes)  against  the  enemy  first-line  works 
24 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY.  25 

(trenches,  supports,  communication  trenches).  The  staff  deter- 
mines how  often  and  for  what  length  of  time  this  fire  is  repeated. 
Whenever  possible,  the  battery  commanders  should  use  fire  by 
piece  or  alternate  platoons  to  provide  for  cooling  and  examina- 
tion of  the  pieces. 

(6)  High-angle-fire  artillery. — Continuous  demolition  fire  on 
the  same  works,  especially  on  shelters,  command  posts,  and 
junctions  of  communication  trenches,  and  also  on  first-line 
trenches  where  the  form  of  the  ground  is  such  that  the  field 
artillery  might  not  be  sufficiently  effective. 

(c)  For  the  long-range  artillery. — Counter  battery  and  inter- 
diction fire  on  approaches  in  the  rear  (communication  trenches, 
tracks,  roads,  etc.). 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  general  mechanism  of  the  counter 
preparation  is  similar  to  that  of  the  preparation. 

(B)    BARRAGE. 

The  object  of  the  barrage  is — 

First.  To  block  the  enemy  attack  at  the  very  moment  it 
deploys. 

Second.  To  prevent  the  arrival  of  reinforcements  and  reserves 
sent  to  strengthen  it. 

The  barrage  is  executed  by  the  field  artillery  and  by  the 
high-angle-fire  heavy  artillery,  supplemented  by  the  action  of 
the  heavy  long-range  batteries  on  the  rear  of  the  enemy  position. 
Everything  should  be  organized  so  that  in  case  of  need  the  bar- 
rage can  automatically  succeed  the  counter-preparation  fire. 

FIELD  ARTILLERY  BARRAGE. 

(a)  Front. — A  distinct  sector  is  assigned  to  each  battery.  If 
there  are  enough  batteries  available  the  fire  of  several  batteries 
may  be  superimposed  on  the  same  sector,  but  such  duplication 
is  used  only  to  reinforce  a  barrage  which  is  already  sufficient  and 
to  replace  it  if  it  should  become  insufficient.  There  should  be, 
wherever  possible,  such  an  organization  that  for  each  infantry 
unit  there  is  a  corresponding  artillery  unit  charged  with  the  bar- 
rage fire  for  the  sector  concerned  (for  example,  a  battalion  of 
artillery  for  each  infantry  battalion). 

(ft)  Targets. — The  barrage  should  form  a  continuous  curtain, 
as  close  to  our  lines  as  is  consistent  with  the  safety  of  our  in- 
fantry, from  100  to  200  meters  in  front  of  our  trenches. 


26  NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY. 

depending  on  the  range  from  which  the  artillery  tires  (2,000 
or  4,000  meters).  Barrages  made  by  entilade  tire  from 
whatever  range  can  be  laid  down  within  60  meters  of  our 
lines.  As  soon  as  the  effective  barrage  has  been  established 
the  range  is  progressively  increased  until  the  barrage  is  on  the 
enemy  front-line  trenches,  from  which  the  successive  assault 
waves  are  particularly  vulnerable  at  the  moment  when  they  are 
massing  or  are  leaving  the  juinping-off  trenches.  The  effect  of 
the  barrage  is  further  supplemented  by  searching  fire  in  depth, 
directed  against  the  trenches  and  lines  of  communication  where 
the  successive  enemy  elements  may  be  passing  or  resting. 

If  the  enemy  should  have  penetrated  our  lines  all  or  part  of 
the  barrage  should  be  brought  back  at  the  request  of  the  infantry 
to  bear  on  the  captured  portions  of  our  lines. 

(c)  Density  of  fire. — At  the  opening  of  fire  the  rapidity  of 
fire  should  be  as  great  as  possible.     The  delivery  of  fire  is  after- 
wards modified  to  suit  the  circumstances  and  the  requests  of 
the  infantry  in  the  first-line  trenches,  with  whom  the  battalion 
or  battery  commander  should  put  himself  in  intimate  relations. 
As  a  rule,  there  should  be  a  rapid  rate  of  fire  at  first,  followed 
by  a  slower  rate  obtained  by  firing  by  piece  or  section  while  the 
others  are  cooling,  being  examined,  or  cleaned. 

Calculations  should  be  based  on  a  density  of  1  round  per 
minute  on  each  10  meters  of  front.  Assuming  that  each  gun 
fires  5  rounds  per  minute,  it  is  necessary  to  assign  at  least  one 
battery  for  each  200  meters  of  front.  (As  a  rule,  fire  should  not 
exceed  100  rounds  per  hour.) 

(d)  Opening  of  barrage  fire. — Barrage  fire  is  opened  at  re- 
quest of  the  infantry  (by  telephone,  visual  signals,  etc.),  or  when 
battery  commanders  receive  indications  from  observation  sta- 
tions (signal  by  Ruggieri  lights,  release  of  small  balloons,  dis- 
play of  streamers  from  a  balloon  basket),  or  when  the  situation 
seems  to  them  to  demand  this  kind  of  fire  (in  case,  for  example, 
a  burst  of  infantry  fire  is  heard  at  night,  or  a  gas  attack  is  noted 
in  the  daytime,  etc.). 

Barrage  fire  is  stopped  when  the  infantry  asks  for  its  cessa- 
tion. When  all  direct  and  lateral  communications  are  cut,  it 
may  be  stopped  on  the  responsibility  of  the  artillery  commander 
of  the  sector  when  he  judges  that  the  enemy  attack  has  been 
broken  up. 

Barrage  from  heavy  howitzers  is  delivered  automatically  on 
the  first  line  only.  In  other  cases  it  is  ordered  specially  by  the 


NOTES  OF  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY.  27 

commander  of  the  artillery  of  the  sector,  either  on  his  own 
initiative  or  on  request  of  the  infantry.  It  is  always  stopped 
at  the  order  of  the  infantry  commander. 

Barrage  from  the  75-mm.  trench  mortar  is  opened  tinder  the 
same  conditions  as  that  of  the  field  artillery.  Other  trench  mor- 
tars execute  the  barrage  under  the  orders  of  the  colonel  com- 
manding the  infantry  of  the  sector,  or  automatically  when  bat- 
tery commanders  perceive  indications  of  a  hostile  attack.  It  is 
stopped  at  the  order  of  the  colonel  commanding  the  infantry. 

Heavy  artillery  batteries  other  than  howitzers  deliver  barrage 
itt  the  order  of  the  general  commanding  the  artillery  of  the  army 
corps. 

(e)  Preparation  for  the  barrage. — The  barrage  depends  on  a 
prearranged  scheme  called  the  barrage  plan,  which  includes 
all  the  details  necessary  for  its  execution.  This  plan  includes 
the  following: 

1.  Targets. 

2.  Rate  and  method  of  fire. 

3.  Provisions  for  night  barrages. 

4.  Observation  stations  and  liaisons  to  be  established. 

5.  The  orders  for  each  battery. 

6.  The  artillery  support  to  be  requested  from  neighboring 
sectors. 

CONTINGENT  FIRE. 

(A)  Harassing  fire. — Harassing  fire  is  for  the  purpose  of 
embarrassing  the  movements  of  enemy  troops  and  supplies.  The 
corps  commander  each  day  issues  orders  for  the  harassing  fire 
to  be  executed  the  following  day.  It  is  principally  directed  on 
routes  and  trails  traveled  by  reliefs  and  supplies,  on  railways 
(narrow  or  standard  gauge)  used  for  transportation  of  the  vari- 
ous supplies ;  on  cantonments  and  bivouacs ;  on  halting  places 
used  in  the  distribution  of  supplies ;  and  on  working  parties. 

Harassing  fire  is  exectited  by  surprise,  and  therefore  by 
small  or  medium  caliber  rapid-fire  pieces,  generally  75's  and 
105's.  The  fire  should  never  be  continued  longer  than  the  time 
presumed  necessary  for  the  endangered  personnel  to  find  shelter. 
On  cantonments,  bivouacs,  working  parties,  trails,  and  railways 
one  or  two  volleys  will  generally  be  sufficient,  the  fire  being  re- 
peated at  different  hours  of  the  day  or  night.  On  a  halting 
point  for  vehicles  (ammunition  columns,  traveling  kitchens,  etc.) 
two  or  more  volleys  may  be  fired,  depending  on  the  number  of 


28  NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY. 

vehicles  using  the  point  and  on  the  freedom  of  movement  which 
the  ground  affords  them.  The  same  principle  applies  to  fire  on 
railway  stations. 

NOTE. — When  information  as  to  the  enemy's  movements  is 
sufficiently  exact,  this  fire  is  carried  out  by  several  pieces,  and 
the  tables  of  concentration  are  used. 

(B)  Fire  in  reprisal. — Fire  in  reprisal  is  intended  to  keep  up 
the  morale  of  our  infantry  by  demonstrating  that  the  artillery 
is  looking  out  for  it,  and  to  convince  the  enemy  of  our  willing- 
ness to  return  his  fire  with  interest.  It  is  directed  on  trenches 
and  cantonments,  following  the  enemy's  bombardment  of  our 
trenches  or  cantonments. 

A  plan  of  flre  for  reprisal  decides  in  each  instance  when  it: 
should  be  opened. 

(1)  On  trenches  rapid  fire  is  used,  firing  a  greater  number  of 
projectiles  than  is  used  by  the  enemy  (if  possible,  2  rounds  f.>r 
1).     The  fire  is  directed  on  the  second  lines  and  shelters  where 
the  personnel  is  almost  exclusively  to  be  found.    The  pieces  used 
are   75-mm.    guns,    firing   instantaneous   fuses,    58-mm.   trench 
mortars,    and,    exceptionally,    howitzers    firing    delayed-action 
fuses.    It  is  delivered  at  the  request  of  the  infantry  or  on  the 
initiative  of  battery  commanders. 

(2)  On  cantonments,  several  volleys  are  fired  by  the  field 
artillery  or,  if  the  range  is  too  long,  by  the  heavy  artillery, 
using  shrapnel  or  incendiary  shells. 

CONCENTRATIONS   OF   FIRE. 

Concentrations  of  fire  give  material  and  moral  advantages 
due  to — 

(a)  The  effect  produced  on  the  personnel  by  the  variety  of 
lines  of  fire  and  of  the  projectiles  used. 

(6)  The  possibility  of  attacking  an  obstacle  from  various 
directions. 

(c)  The  increased  rapidity  of  fire  due  to  the  simultaneous 
use  of  a  great  number  of  pieces. 

(a)  The  scattered  location  of  the  pieces,  which  makes  the 
batteries  less  vulnerable. 

(c)  The  utilization  of  enfilade  fire. 

(/)  The  decreased  importance  of  an  error  in  the  firing  dnta 
which  affects  only  part  of  the  pieces  in  action. 

For  these  reasons  concentrations  of  fire  are  employed  in 
demolition  fire  against  the  enemy  works,  in  counter-battery  fire. 


NOTES  ON  THE  TTSE  OF  ARTILLERY.  29 

in  offensive  counter  preparation,  against  cantonments,  bivouacs, 
and  railway  stations,  and  on  important  points  of  passage. 

Concentration  of  fire  is  ordered  by  generals  commanding 
divisions,  corps,  or  armies,  who,  for  certain  purposes  and  in 
order  to  avoid  delays,  may  delegate  their  authority  to  their 
respective  artillery  commanders.  In  order  to  make  immediate 
concentration  of  fire  possible,  a  preliminary  study  is  made,  the 
results  of  which  are  embodied  in  "  tables  of  concentrations." 

All  artillery  staffs  (Army,  corps,  division)  must  have  in  their 
possession  a  document  of  this  kind,  which  shows  for  each 
square  on  the  battle  map  the  batteries  which  can  fire  on  any 
given  target.  Thus  they  can  see  instantly  the  number  and 
caliber  of  the  units  which  can  fire  on  any  given  target.  An 
extract  from  this  table  is  sent  to  each  commander  of  a  battery, 
battalion,  or  higher  artillery  unit  interested.  The  necessary 
rangings  are  made. 

When  the  commander  sees  fit,  concentration  of  fire  is  accom- 
panied by  a  show  of  infantry  activity.  This  is  almost  always 
necessary  when  the  first  enemy  line  is  to  be  fired  on,  the  pur- 
pose being  to  induce  the  enemy  to  man  the  first  line. 

The  infantry  are  always  warned  when  concentration  of  fire 
is  planned,  in  order  that  they  may  take  the  necessary  measures 
of  security. 


PART  FIVE. 

PREPARATION  OF  THE   WORK  OF  THE  AR- 
TILLERY.   PLANS  OF  ACTION. 

THE  OFFENSIVE. 

FIRST  ROLE  OF  THE  ARTILLERY. 

The  role  of  the  artillery  on  the  offensive  is  to  facilitate  the 
capture  of  the  objectives  of  an  infaiitry  attack,  to  help  the 
infantry  to  hold  the  ground  it  has  won,  and  to  aid  it  in  exploit- 
ing the  success. 

During  the  preparation  of  the  attack  it  must  (a)  destroy  the 
enemy  artillery  before  the  attack,  neutralize  it  at  the  moment  of 
the  attack ;  (&)  destroy  the  defensive  works  of  the  enemy ;  auxil- 
iary defenses,  flanking  works,  shelters,  communication  trenches, 
observation  stations,  and  maintain  the  demolitions  already 
made;  (c)  prevent  the  enemy  from  recovering,  and  for  this  pur- 
pose direct  fire  on  the  rear  to  block  reliefs  and  the  arrival  of 
reenforcements,  food,  materials,  and  munitions. 

During  the  attack  it  must  give  the  infantry  constant  support. 
It  must  therefore  effect  new  preparation  on  targets  which  are 
holding  up  the  infantry  advance,  either  firing  from  the  original 
positions  or  sending  some  batteries  forward. 

Each  piece  is  assigned  a  particular  role,  suitable  to  its  type 
and  caliber: 

The  trench  artillery. — Demolition  at  short  ranges. 

The  field  artillery. — Demolition  of  weak  fieldworks,  protection 
of  the  infantry,  barrages,  counter-attack  batteries,  counter  bat- 
teries, and  interdiction  fire. 

The  heavy  howitzers. — Destruction  of  enemy  fieldworks,  con- 
tingent barrages. 

The  heavy  guns. — Counter-battery  and  demolition  flrebeyond 
the  limits  of  action  of  the  field  artillery  or  the  heavy  howitzers. 

The  essential  factors  in  offensive  preparation  are  surprise  and 
action  in  depth. 
30 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE   OF  ARTILLERY.  31 

To  obtain  surprise,  the  length  of  preparation  for  the  attack  is 
made  as  short  as  possible,  and  an  effort  is  made  not  to  disclose 
to  the  enemy  the  moment  of  launching  the  attack  by  changing 
the  rate  of  fire. 

The  purpose  of  action  in  depth  is  to  effect  simultaneous  prepa- 
ration by  the  artillery  on  the  greatest  possible  number  of  suc- 
cessive enemy  works.  Only  when  this  is  done  is  there  hope  of 
an  important  i2  not  decisive  success  by  preventing  the  enemy 
from  reestablishing  his  defenses  in  time  to  serve  him. 

The  succession  of  the  offensive  actions  of  the  infantry  and 
artillery  must  be  executed  in  an  orderly  manner,  but  as  rapidly 
as  possible  in  order  to  make  it  impossible  for  the  enemy  to 
recover  himself.  The  artillery's  work  of  destruction  should 
therefore  simultaneously  attempt  to  achieve : 

Power,  which  makes  the  attack  easy. 

Depth,  by  which  it  becomes  possible  to  give  wide  scope  to 
each  offensive  action. 

Continuity,  which  is  the  means  of  securing  rapidity  in  the  suc- 
cession of  these  same  offensive  actions,  thanks  to  an  advance 
of  the  artillery  parallel  to  that  of  the  infantry.  ' 

Before  the  battle,  and  covering  each  phase  of  it,  there  is  pre- 
pared a  plan  of  action  of  the  artillery,  which  comprises  the 
following  heads : 

1.  Organization  of  the  command. 

2.  Designation  of  the  targets. 

3.  Allotment  of  artillery  to  the  attacking  units. — It  must  never 
be  forgotten,  in  preparing  this  feature  of  the  plan  of  action, 
that  exaggeration  in  the  density  of  the  artillery  always  reacts 
by  reducing  the  width  of  the  front  on  which  it  is  possible  to 
attack  with  the  means  available  at  a  given  time,  and  that  an 
increase  of  artillery  gives  an  increase  of  fire  only  when  it  is 
possible  at  the  same  time  to  solve  the  difficulties  (in  supply, 
observation,  etc.)  which  result  from  the  increase. 

4.  Formation  of  unattached  artillery  into  organised  units. — 
Such  unattached  artillery  will  rarely  exist  before  the  general 
attack  in  order  not  to  restrict  the  front  of  attack.     It  com- 
prises fractions  of  artillery  taken  from  units  which,  for  the 
moment,  are  to  act  on  the  defensive  and  do  not  need  their  full 
regulation  strength.    These  fractions  are  chosen  among  the  most 
mobile  batteries,  since  their  role  is  to  act  as  immediate  re- 
enforcements  to  certain  artilleries  or  in  the  rapid  exploitation 
of  the  full  possibilities  of  a  successful  attack. 


32  NOTES  ON  THE  TISE  OF  ARTILLERY. 

5.  Position. — We  should  push  part  of  the  artillery  as  far  for- 
ward as  possible,  in  order  to  get  the  advantage  of  the  full  range 
of  the  pieces.    On  the  one  hand,  the  batteries  must  not  be 
crowded  in  too  restricted  a  space,  and  provision  must  be  made 
for  favorable  conditions  for  fire  on  the  first  enemy  position ; 
these  considerations  lead  to  disposing  the  artillery  in  echelon  in 
depth  according  to  its  missions  and  the  characteristics  of  the 
pieces  and  of  the  terrain. 

6.  Grouping  into  commands,  which  generally  comprise  differ- 
ent calibers,  in  order  that  the  command  can  execute  all  the 
missions  in  the  zone  of  action  assigned  to  it. 

7.  Zones  of  action. — Normal  and  contingent. 

8.  Liaisons. — Telephones,  visual  signals,  liaison  officers. 

.  9.  Observation. — Aerial  and  terrestrial;  intelligence  (icide- 
view)  observation  stations,  positions  chosen  by  the  corps;  rang- 
ing and  fire  (close-view)  observation  stations,  positions  chosen 
by  the  artillery  battalions  and  batteries.  Map  and  table  of  the 
observation  stations. 

NOTE. — During  the  combat  the  liaison  and  observation  detach- 
ment and  the  infantry  must  cooperate  in  choosing  positions  for 
observation  stations,  in  order  to  assure  the  continuity  of  the 
operations.  We  must  always  be  able  to  act,  and  to  this  end  a 
first  observation  station  must  be  chosen  by  means  of  which  the 
mission  can  be  executed ;  if  necessary,  it  can  be  moved  after 
a  later  and  fuller  reconnaissance. 

10.  Work  of  installation  of  artillery  of  all  calibers. — Minute 
reconnaissances  of  battery  positions,  installation  of  telephone 
lines,  rapid   construction  of  thoroughly  camouflaged  emplace- 
ments with  wide  fields  of  fire. 

11.  Movements  of  the  artillery. — The  advance  of  the  artillery 
should  be  by  echelons,  and  almost  continuous.     Plan  of  move- 
ments must  be  constantly  corrected  during  the  whole  course  of 
the  battle,  and  must  fix  for  each  battalion  of  field  or  heavy  artil- 
lery the  position  which  it  shall  occupy  before,  during,  or  after 
the  contemplated  attack,  and  the  probable  moment  when  these 
positions  should  be  occupied. 

12.  Ammunition  supply. — We  make  estimates  providing  for  the 
daily  supply  to  the  batteries  of  a  "  day  of  fire."     The  tonnage 
is  considerable  (1,200  tons  for  an  army  corps  of  two  divisions). 
Location  and  preparation  of  the  ammunition  depots,  delivery 
depots,  and  intermediary  depota     Construction  of  the  lines  of 
communication  (narrow  paths). 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILXEBY.  88 

EXPLOITATION  OP  TUB  SUCCESS. 

The  objective  given  an  attack  constitutes  a  minimum  line,  the 
attainment  of  which  must  be  made  certain,  but  beyond  which 
the  attack  may  a-nd  should  advance. 

The  attack  will  stop  at  the  objective  line  long  enough  to 
allow  renewal  of  contact  with  the  enemy,  the  realignment  of 
the  units,  the  reorganization  of  the  liaisons,  aad  the  arrival  of 
fresh  troops,  and  will  then  resume  its  advance. 

Exploitation  of  the  success  nmst  be  considered  in  the  two 
phases  which  characterize  the  offensive  battle;  on  the  one 
hard,  in  the  successive  actions  having  for  their  object  decisively 
breaking  the  enemy's  front,  where  it  is  what  may  be  called 
tactical  eafploitation;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  in  the  period  which 
follows  thj  rupture,  when  it  becomes  strategic  exploitation  or 
pursuit. 

I.  Tactical  exploitation. 

Tactical  exploitation  takes  place  Immediately  after  the  at- 
tack, and  takes  advantage  of  the  disorder  caused  among  the 
enemy.  It  follows  a  plan  for  exploitation  which  has  been  pre- 
pared before  the  attack. 

The  principal  points  treated  in  this  plan  are:  The  zones  and 
distribution  of  the  exploiting  troops,  the  engagement,  the  artil- 
lery support. 

First.  Zone  of  exploitation;  distribution  of  the  troops  charged 
tcith  it. — The  division  commanders  devote  to  exploitation  all 
troops  not  employed  in  capturing  the  enemy  position.  The  corps 
commanders  will  place  at  the  disposal  of  the  division  com- 
manders of  the  first  line,  having  a  favorable  zone  for  exploita- 
tion, all  or  part  of  the  infantry  divisions  of  the  second  line.  One 
or  more  exploiting  detachments  are  organized,  comprising  troops 
of  all  arms  (the  artillery  shoxild,  as  far  as  possible,  comprise 
batteries  which  have  not  been  engaged  in  the  preparation  of  the 
attack). 

The  commanders  of  the  exploitation  units  (divisions,  bri- 
gades), precede  their  troops  and  accompany  the  division  and 
brigade  commanders  of  the  first  line  (this  is  obligatory),  './hey 
are  accompanied  by  their  cavalry  and  artillery  reconnaissance 
parties. 

Second.  Engagement. — The  exploitation  troops  have  for  their 
objective  the  last  enemy  batteries  and  important  points  of  the 


84  BOXES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ABTULEBY. 

terrain  In  a  radius  suitable  to  their  effective  force  and  to  the 
condition  of  the  enemy.  Their  action  is  prolonged  by  new  ele- 
ments pushed  farther  on,  and  by  the  major  units  charged  with 
the  pursuit 

Third.  Support  of  the  exploitation  troops  by  the  artillery. — At 
the  moment  when  the  exploitation  troops  are  about  to  engage, 
the  artillery  barrage  is  carried  forward  over  a  series  of  succes- 
sive positions  and  the  advance  of  the  infantry  behind  the 
artillery  fire  is  carried  out  under  the  same  conditions  as  in  the 
beginning  of  the  attack.  Moreover,  the  artillery  must  protect 
the  advance  of  the  infantry  by  neutralizing  or  destroying  the 
often  distant  hostile  artillery.  It  therefore  becomes  necvssnr\ 
to  provide  for  and  to  organize  a  rapid  change  in  position  of  a 
portion  of  the  artillery  comprising  mobile  guns  of  great  range, 
field  guns,  and  howitzers.  These  pieces  are  groupod  in  com- 
mands formed  of : 

First. — Batteries  installed  very  near  the  departure  trenches 
and  not  disclosed  before  the  attack. 

Second. — Available  batteries  of  very  mobile  materiel  which 
have  r.ot  taken  part  in  the  first  parr,  of  the  attack,  or  the  bat 
teries  which  have  been  posted  farthest  back,  and  which  are 
therefore  the  first  to  be  left  out  of  range. 

The  artillery  will  change  position  by  echelons,  making  a  con- 
siderable advance  each  time  they  move,  in  order  that  the  same 
battery  may  not  change  position  too  often  (two  or  three  eche- 
lons cf  artillery  about  2  kilometers  apart  require  advances  of 
4  to  6  kilometers  each  time). 

II.  Strategic  exploitation. 

Strategic  exploitation  is  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  army 
and  of  the  group  of  armies. 

The  pursuit  troops  (of  divisions  In  line  and  supported  on  the 
flanks)  are  powerfully  assisted  by  the  aviation  service,  which 
beeps  them  informed,  and  which  also  uses  bombs  and  machine 
guns  against  columns,  batteries,  trains,  railway  stations,  etc. 

The  pursuit  begins  as  soon  as  the  cavalry  divisions  have 
passed  the  Infantry.  This  cavalry  is  given  distant  objectives, 
principally  junctions  of  important  lines  of  communication  and 
depots  which  they  are  to  destroy. 

As  soon  as  the  cavalry  has  taken  the  advance,  the  infantry 
divisions  are  formed  in  route  column,  their  duty  being  to  ad- 
vance quickly  and  follow  the  cavalry  as  close  as  possible.  In 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY.  55 

•order  to  secure  liaison  between  the  pursuing  divisions,  the  corps 
establishes  behind  each  one  a  liaison  line. 

The  artillery  is  distributed  among  the  divisions.  We  push 
the  reconnaissance  personnel  with  the  telephone  and  wireless 
wagons  as  far  to  the  front  as  possible,  but  we  keep  the  artillery 
back  sufficiently  in  rear  of  the  heads  of  the  columns.  We 
form  a  series  of  mixed  artillery  groups,  leading  off  with  the 
long-range  artillery  and  some  field  batteries;  farther  back  we 
place  field  and  howitzer  batteries.  In  the  rear  divisions  we 
place  the  artillery  at  the  head  of  the  column. 

Getting  in  contact. — In  combat,  of  whatever  form,  we  always 
act  on  the  following  principles : 

First.  In  all  defensive  situations  we  hold  the  front  with  a 
minimum  of  rifles  and  machine  guns  on  the  first  line  and  keep 
as  many  men  as  possible  in  reserve. 

Second.  On  the  offensive  we  never  risk  infantry  against  or- 
i?anized  positions  without  first  causing  the  attack  to  be  pre- 
ceded by  an  Intense  artillery  preparation.  We  economize  the 
infantry  and  absolutely  forbid  all  dense  formations. 

Third.  In  all  situations  we  insure  close  liaison  between  the 
Infantry  and  the  artillery,  even  if  it  results  in  slackening  the 
action, 

PLAN  OP  ACTION  OP  THE  ARTILLERY. 

The  r61e  assigned  the  artillery  Is  defined  in — 

The  general  plan  of  action,  made  by  the  general  commanding 
the  Army. 

The  plans  of  engagement  and  plans  of  action  of  the  artillery, 
made  by  the  corps  and  divisions. 

Tho  plan  of  action  of  the  corps  artillery  comprises — 

The  plans  of  action  of  the  divisional  artillery,  and 

The  plan  of  action  of  the  corps  artillery. 

A  detailed  study  of  the  ground  is  made  (study  of  the  battle 
map,  examination  of  photographs,  appraisal  of  the  importance 
of  targets,  facilities  of  the  artillery  for  occupying  and  advanc- 
ing over  the  ground,  existing  or  possible  observation  stations, 
trails,  roads,  railways).  An  estimate  of  the  necessary  ammu- 
nition for  the  accomplishment  of  the  missions  given  to  the 
artillery  is  also  drawn  up. 

This  plan  of  action  is  covered  by  all  the  documents  by  means 
of  which  it  is  possible  to  give  execution  orders  relating  to  the 
different  phases  of  an  offensive  operation.  It  comprises  the 
following  heads : 


M  NOTES  ON  THE  TJSE  OP  AETTLLEEY. 

(a)  Composition  of  the  artillery. — Enumeration  of  the  artil- 
lery units. 

(ft)  Assignment  Of  missions. — Table  showing;  for  each  target, 
the  batteries  used  and  the  ammunition  to  he  provided. 

(c)  Organization  of  the  command. — Table  which  gives  the 
location  of  the  command  posts,  as  well  as  the  telephone  and 
wireless  connections  of  the  different  authorities. 

(d)  Table  of  the  daily  use  of  the  artillery. — Showing  for  each 
artillery  unit,  at  each  instant  of  the  preparation  of  the  attack, 
Its  targets  or  missions,  the  corresponding  consumption  of  am- 
munition (sometimes  the  rate  of  fire),  when  advisable,  the  in- 
fantry units  in  support  of  which  the  batteries  act,  and  hence 
the  liaisons  to  establish.    This  table  makes  it  possible  for  us 
to  follow  the  execution  of  the  fire  and,  in  case  a  battery  should 
be  put  out  of  action,  to  pick  out  quickly  the  unfulfilled  mission 
which  must  be  entrusted  to  another  unit. 

(e)  Organization  of  counter-battery  worK. — Table  of  demoli- 
tion or  neutralization  fire,  showing  the  order  of  urgency  of  the 
destruction  of  batteries. 

(/)  Movements  of  artillery. — Table  showing  the  units  moved 
and  their  new  positions,  the  modifications  this  causes  In  the 
organization  of  the  command,  and  the  probable  routes  of  the 
units. 

(ff)  Tables  of  concentrations  of  flre. 

(h)  Plan  of  observation  and  of  Uaisons,  comprising — 

The  location  of  the  observation  stations  and  their  zon*s  of 
observation. 

The  points  of  balloon  ascensions. 

The  airplanes  at  the  disposal  of  the  artillery  and  tfee  location 
of  the  wireless  aerials. 

The  wireless  call  signals  and  wave  length*. 

The  telephone  connections. 

The  location  of  the  visual  signal  stations  and  the  traits  they 
serve. 

Sometimes  the  wireless  telegraph  ground  stations  and  the  liai- 
sons which  they  provide. 

The  measures  taken  for  the  organization  of  the  new  observa- 
tion stations  and  the  liaisons  to  be  effected  to  connect  them 
with  the  original  system. 

(i)  Plan  of  the  supply  of  artillery  and  infantry  ammunition, 
showing — 

The  allotments  of  the  batteries. 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  AB.TILLEKY.  t7 

The  location  of  the  different  depots,  and  their  allotments. 

The  means  of  transportation  and  the  routes. 

An  appendix  shows  the  plan  for  supplying  the  advaaced  lines 
when  they  have  reached  their  objectives,  and  includes — 

The  location  of  the  new  depots  and  their  allotment. 

The  preparation  of  the  lines  of  counuauication. 

The  modifications  in  the  assignment  of  tie  personnel  detailed 
to  handle  supplies. 

EMPLOYMENT    OF    THE    AVIATION    SERVICE    DURING    THE    DIF- 
FERENT  PHASES    OF   BATTLE. 

Aviation  interests  us  here  only  from  the  artillery  point  of 
view. 

During  t'lic  preparation. — Reconnaissances ;  vertical  and 
oblique  photography ;  adjustment  of  fire ;  observation  of  demoli- 
tions, which  allows  the  artillery  to  take  the  results  of  the  day's 
work  into  account  when  planning  the  program  for  the  next  day. 

During  the  attack. —  (a)  Observation  of  neutralization  and 
destruction  fire  against  the  enemy  artillery. 

( b )  Observation  of  the  artillery  fire  for  direct  support  and  the 
covering  of  the  attacks,  and  maintenance  of  the  liaison  between 
rtie  infantry  and  the  artillery. 

(c)  Rapid  transmission  of  the  orders  of  the  corps  commander, 
by  dropping  weighted  messages  at  the  divisional,  brigade,  and 
regimental  command  posts. 

(d)  Keeping  the  commander  informed  of  the  positions  readied 
by  the  troops,  the  obstacles  encountered  by  their  advance,  and 
the  counter  efforts  of  the  enemy. 

THE  DEFENSIVE. 

The  complex  missions  which  are  incumbent  on  the  artillery 
the  necessity  under  which  it  labors  of  acting  quickly,  in  mass 
and  with  precision,  oblige  the  command  to  make  minute  prepara- 
tions for  its  use.    Every  Army,  corps,  und  divisional  staff  there- 
fore makes  under  the  direction  of  the  commander. 

Plan  of  employment  of  the  artillery,  covering  all  contingencies 
and  comprising  the  following  heads: 

1.  Organization  of  the  command. 

2.  Distribution  of  missions  among  the  units. 

3.  Role  of  the  heavy  artillery,  and  organization  of  the  counter 
batteries. 

4.  Offensive  counter  preparation. 


88  NOTES  ON    THE   USE   OF   ARTILLERY. 

5.  Plan  of  barrages. 

6.  Fire  for  reprisal. 

7.  Table  of  concentrations  of  fire. 

8.  Plan  of  observation  and  of  liaisons,  with  maps  of  the  ob- 
servation stations  and  their  normal  and  contingent  distribution 
among  the  artillery  units ;  panoramas  from  the  balloon ;  mate- 
rial organization  of  the  observation  stations ;  distribution  of  the 
observation  personnel  and  the  orders  of  the  observers;  maps 
of  the  liaisons  of  all  kinds  between  the  observation  stations,  the 
balloons,  the  wireless  telegraph  aerials,  the  command  posts,  acd 
the  artillery  battalions. 

Plan  for  the  contingent  reenforcement  of  the  s<-,<-tur  by  but- 
teries of  all  calibers  brought  from  outside  the  sector.  This  pluu 
contemplates  the  case  of  an  important  attack  by  the  enemy.  It 
comprises — 

1.  A  list  of  the  artillery  units  expected  to  be  available  for  re- 
enforcements  (this  list  is  furnished  by  the  Army). 

2.  The  organization  of  the  command. 

3.  The  distribution  of  missions  and  positions. 

4.  The  organization  of  the  command  posts,  visual  signal  sta- 
tions, and  liaisons. 

Note. — The  emplacements  of  the  batteries,  the  command  posts, 
the  observation  stations,  and  the  telephone  communications  for 
which  this  document  provides  are  prepared  in  advance,  as  well 
as  all  the  documents  of  firing  data  (lists  of  coordinates,  plotting 
boards  and  firing-data  books). 

The  above  is  an  enumeration  of  the  principles  by  which  the 
employment  of  the  artillery  is  at  present  regulated.  The  one 
thing  which  must  never  be  forgotten  is  that  this  arm  Is  valuable 
only  for  those  who  know  how  to  use  it. 

It  therefore  requires  hard-ioorking,  educated  officers,  futt  of 
.he  love  of  their  profession,  and,  above  all,  conscientious. 

The  idea  of  perfecting  their  professional  knowledge,  of  achiev- 
ing perfect  execution  of  all  the  missions  which  may  be  entrusted 
to  them,  whether  great  or  small,  must  always  be  present  to  the 
mind  of  every  officer. 

In  this  way  alone  will  the  officer  be  on  good  terms  with  his 
conscience  and  useful  to  his  country. 


APPENDIX  L 

SAFETY  ZONE  TABLES. 

75-MM.  GUN. 

Zone  to  be  maintained  between  the  center  of  bvrst  and  the 
first  elements  of  infantry  in  accompanying  fire  during  an  attack. 

The  depth  of  this  zone  is  one-half  the  zone  of  d'spersion  (range 
and  fuse-setting),  to  which  is  added,  when  shells  are  used,  the 
distance  to  which  dangerous  fragments  are  projected  by  the  base 
sheaf  (about  50  meters). 

(A)  Open  ground, 

1.— HORIZONTAL  GROUND. 


Bang*. 

Safety  rone  (in  meters). 

ShelL 

Shrapnel 

Percus- 
sion. 

Time 
fuse. 

Percus- 
sion. 

Time 
fuse. 

7  000.... 

138 
153 
165 
178 
192 
208 

292 
800 
307 
808 
824 
838 

41 
M 
M 
68 
75 
81 

93 
98 
05 
101 
109 
118 

2,500  

aOOO  .  .                                 

3^00.... 

tooo  

4,500  

2.— S  PER  CENT  GLACIS  (ASCENDING  TOWARD  ENEMY). 


2,000.... 

101 

208 

86 

54 

2^00  

118 

231 

42 

61 

3,000  

133 

248 

43 

70 

3,500  

150 

2M 

60 

79 

4,000  

165 

283 

66 

88 

4^iOO  . 

183 

904 

72 

100 

8.-^  PER  CENT  COUNTERSLOPE  (DESCENDING  TOWARD  ENEMY). 


2,000..., 

406 

(i) 

825 

(') 

2^00  

2S7 

615 

1M 

(') 

8,000  

235 

434 

1/53 

281 

8,500.... 

225 

884 

142 

2/2 

4/JQO  

234 

887 

140 

244 

4,500  

244 

887 

144 

235 

'  Impractical. 


89 


NOTES  02?  THE  USE  OF  AKTHLEB.Y. 


For  glacis,  the  grade  of  which  Is  more  than  5  per  cent,  the 
above  figures  may  be  slightly  decreased.  For  counterslopes, 
the  grade  of  which  is  more  than  5  per  cent,  the  ground  Is  In  a 
"dead  angle"  up  to  about  3,000  meters;  beyond  3,000  meters 
the  safety  zones  are  very  wide. 

The  75  mm.  is  not  suitable  for  accompanying  fire  directed  on 
counterslopes. 

(B)  Uniformly  wooded  ground. 

To  avoid  premature  bursts  In  the  tree?,  the  safety  zone  must 
be  made  wider  in  percussion  fire ;  this  is  not  necessary  in  time- 
fuse fire,  as  the  mean  points  of  burst  are  above  trees  of  average 
height 

The  following  table  gives  the  additional  widths  required  for 
trees  10  meters  high : 


Range*. 

Additional  meters. 

Horizon- 
tal 
ground. 

6  per 
cent 

glacis. 

5per 
cent 
counter- 
slope. 

»,000... 

140 
100 
70 
65 
45 
35 

80 
70 
60 
60 
40 
30 

wa 

1* 
76 

• 

m 

1»X)     

8,000... 

ijioo..  .    . 

4,000... 

4^00  

i  Impractical. 


NOTES  ON  THE  TTSE  OF  ARTILLERY. 


Safety  zones  to  be  maintained  between  the  center  of  burst  of 
75-mm.  fire  and  our  firjt-line  positions. 

(Tables   applicable   to   shell    fire.) 
(A)   Open  ground. 


Ranges. 

Safety  zone  (In  meters). 

Horizon- 
tal 
ground. 

5  per 
cent 
glacis. 

5  per 
cent 
ccunter- 
slope. 

2,000       .                                             

88 
103 
115 
128 
142 
158 

51 
G8 
83 
100 
115 
133 

366 
207 
185 
175 
184 
134 

2,500  

3,000       .               

3,500  

4,000  

4500      .                              

(B)  Uniformly  wooded  ground. 


Ranges. 

Increase  in  elevation  for 
the  height  of  trees. 

Trees  5 
meters 
high. 

Trees  10 
meters 
high. 

Trees  15 
meters 
high. 

2,000 

130 
110 
90 
80 
80 
70 

200 
160 
130 
110 
100 
90 

280 
220 
170 
140 
130 
110 

2,500  

3,000  

3,500..   . 

4,000  

4,500  

42 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE   OF  ARTILLERY. 


-  Q, 

I 

3~ 


a  o 

8g 

Bo 


RJ 

•£•3) 
|I 

I 


i* 

if 

•o*" 


B- 

^st 


555 


Es 


11 


c-    8 
«f   3 

iff 

Kx:     •§ 
J9O      d 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  AETILLEEY.  43 

TABLE  II. — Estimated  expenditure  of  ammunition  for  the  de- 
struction of  shelters. 


EMBRASURE  FIRE. 


Ranges. 

Protection 
of  the 
shelter. 

Calibers. 

Ammunition. 

Esti- 
mated 
require- 
ment. 

Projectiles. 

Fuses. 

I^ess  than  3.000  me- 
ters. 

Any  kind.. 

75  

Explosive... 

Instanta- 
ne  ous 
or  super- 
sensi- 
tive. 

Rounds. 
100 

CRUSHING  FIRE. 


1  Small  model 

LOO 

Medium.  *. 

58  No.  2  or 
V.  D. 

bomb.< 
Large  in  ode! 

Delayed 

SO 

bomb.* 

action. 

Less    than     1,000 

«eters.i 

f240  trench 

1    mortar 

Strong*... 

\    or      3:0 

Bomb  

w 

t  r  e  nch 

I    mortar. 

From  2,008  to  4,000 
meters. 

fMedium... 
1  Strong  

155  howit- 
zer. 
220  or  270.. 

Steel        or 
•   semis  t  e  e  1 
shell. 

Del  ayed 
action. 

• 

More  than  4,000  meters 

Medium  .  . 

155  gun  — 

do  

do.... 

150 

1  The  V.  D.,  as  well  as  the  58  No.  2,  firing  the  large  model  bomb,  carry  only  up  to 
600  meters. 

2  Roof  formed  of  alternate  layers  of  logs  and  earth. 
1  Roof  of  concrete  or  of  rails  and  concrete. 

•  Bombs  weighing  16, 18  or  19.5  kilograms. 

•  Bombs  weighing  35  or  40  kilograms. 


44  NOTES   ON   THE  TISE   OF  ARTILLERY. 

TABLE  III. — Estimated  expenditure  of  ammunition  for  the  de- 
struction of  trenches. 


Ranges. 

Calibers. 

Ammunition. 

Estimated  requirement. 

Projectiles. 

Fuses. 

Less    than 
1,000  me- 
ters." 

From  3,000 
to      7,000 
meters.' 

Do  

V.  D.,  or 
58  No.  2. 
or     2:0 
tre  n  c  h 
mortar.2 
75  

Arrow, 
bomb, 
bomb. 

Shell  

Elongated 
shell. 

Seinisteel 
shell. 
Elongated 
shell. 
Seinisteel 
shell. 
Elongated 
shell. 

Delaye  d 
action.8 

...do  
...do  

...do  

80  to  100  rounds  per  important 
point.< 

10  rounds  per  linear  meter. 

80  to  100  rounds  per  Important 
point,  viz:  3  or  4  rounds  per 
linear  meter  (frontal  fire);  1.5 
rounds  per  linear  meter  (enfi- 
lading fire). 
Increase  these  figures  J  for  fire  of 
semisteel  shells. 
70  rounds  per  important  point. 

100  rounds  for  the  semisteel  shell. 

5  or  fi  rounds  per  linear  meter,  ac- 
cording to  the  range  (frontal 
fire). 

From  2,000 
to     5,000 
meters. 

From  5,000 
to     7,000 
meters. 

}220«..., 

...do  
...do  
..do  

155  gun  or 
155  Schnei- 
der how- 
itzer.7 

1  The  V.  D.,  as  well  as  the  58  No.  2,  firing  the  large  model  bomb,  carry  only  u^-  to 
600  meters. 

2  To  reinforce  the  action  of  the  58  on  the  important  points. 

•  Always  mix  with  the  delayed-action  fuses  about  fc  of  nondelayed  action,  fired 
toward  the  end  of  the  demolition,  in  order  to  diminish  the  number  of  fougasses. 

«  A  trench  or  communicating  trench  taken  in  enfilade  will  be  completely  knocked 
to  pieces  for  a  length  of  100  meters  with  300  small  bombs  (58  or  Van  Deuren)  or  150 
large  bombs. 

*  Fire  as  far  as  possible  exactly  in  enfilade. 

•  To  reinforce  the  action  of  the  155  howitzer  on  the  important  points. 

*  Safety  zone.— Give  the  infantry  a  prohibited  zone  of  200  meters  during  fire  with 
the  155  nowitzer.    The  troops  must  also  be  made  to  take  shelter  from  the  fragments, 
which  may  be  projected  several  hundred  meters  to  the  rear. 


NOTES  O.N  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY. 


TABI,K  IV. — Estimated  expenditure  of  ammunition  for  the  de- 
struction of  the  parts  of  a  fort. 


Targets. 

Calibers. 

Good 
ranges  in 
kilo- 
meters. 

Ammunition. 

Estimated 
requirement. 

Shells. 

Fuses. 

Rampart  shel- 
ters. 

Barracks:     in- 
termediate 
large  shelters, 
German  type. 

Armored    tur- 
rets, French 
type. 
Armored    bat- 
teries.    Ger- 
man type. 
Cement    corri- 
dors. 

Pits  

f293  howitzer. 
320  gun  

8 
15 
7 
12 
12 

8 
15 
7 
12 
12 
15 
12 
12 
15 
12 
12 
(l) 

8 
10 
16 

ISemiarmor 
|    piercing. 

..do  . 

Long   de- 
layed ac- 
tion base 
fuse. 

.do  

100    rounds    for 
targets  at  ranges 
of  less  than  9 
kilometers. 
150  rounds  for 
longer  ranges. 
130  to  200  rounds 
according      as 
the  range  is  less 
or  more  than  9 
kilometers. 

f!50   rounds    per 
\   target. 

400  or  500  rounds. 

100  to  150  rounds 
per  corridor.' 

fl  50    rounds    per 
\    Pit.* 

<370  mortar.. 
370  howitzer. 
UOO  howitzer. 

f293  howitzer. 
320  gun  
<  370  mortar.. 
370  howitzer. 
(400  howitzer. 
[320  gun  

..do.... 

do    . 

•{570  howitzer. 
UoOhowitzer. 
(320  gun  

do 

do 

<370  howitzer. 
1  400  howitzer, 
(i)  

f,o 

.do... 

fl55gun  

u 

(»)  

<^240gun  

(320  gun  

i 

1  All  the  above  calibers  and  their  corresponding  ranges. 

1  Enfilade  fire. 

1  Elongated  or  semisteel  delayed  action. 

TABLE   V. — Estimated   expenditure  of  ammunition  for  the  de- 
struction of  towns. 


Kind  of  destruc- 
tion. 

Calibers. 

Shells. 

Fuses. 

Estimated 
requirement  per 
100  square  mile 
block  of  houses. 

Destruction       of 
houses. 

Crushing  cellars.  .  . 

155  howitzer; 
155  gun;  220; 
270. 

270  mortar;  280 
mortar;  293 
howitzer;  370 
mortar;  370 
howitzer;  400 
howitzer. 

Elongated 

semisiteel  or 
incendiary. 

Semiarmor- 
piercing  or 
explosive. 

Delayed  ac- 
tion combi- 
nation fuse. 

Delayed  ac- 
tion base 
fuse. 

4     rounds     of 
which  i  with 
incendiary 
shells. 
Do. 

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Research  Library 
30095-1575 


forcements  and  reserves  (sortie  steps),  (c)  Communication 
trenches,  to  facilitate  movement ;  strict  policing  of  traffic ;  shel- 
ters for  detached  soldiers;  turnouts;  sijnis. 

3.  Easy  advance  of  reserve  troops  and  artillery. — Routes  and 
itineraries  reconnoitered  in  advance. 

4.  Liaisons  between  the  units. —  (a)  By  the  judicious  choice 
of  the  command  posts  which  should  be  established,  if  possible, 


NOTES  ON  THE  USE  OF  ARTILLERY.  47 

near  the  observation  stations,  and  with  easy  access  to  the  com- 
munication trenches,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  movements  of  the 
liaison  agents.  (&)  By  the  organization  of  liaisons  bv  means  of 
visual  signals,  wireless,  airplanes,  and  pigeons. 

5.  Supply. — Depots  for  food,  water,  ammunition,  signal  flares, 
tools,  various  materials,  etc. 

6.  Evacuation. — Dressing  stations. 

7.  Latrines. — Constructed  principally  in  the  zone  of  the  de- 
parture parallels,  and  near  the  assembly  places. 

Plan  of  preparation  of  the  ground,  comprising  the  plan  of  the 
works,  the  plan  of  execution  (with  the  order  of  urgency),  and 
the  estimate  of  the  equipment  and  materials  to  be  assembled. 

o 


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